Carrot Cake Oatmeal

Carrot, Mango, Coconut, Pecan “Carrot Cake” Oatmeal

Reader Liz shared this creative concoction in the comments with me and I knew it would be a winner! Like any carrot cake, the star was the “icing.” Greek yogurt mixed with maple syrup….mmmmmmmm! I got a little bit in every bite.

Combine in a saucepan:

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup skim milk (or other milky substance)
• 1/2 cup water
• 50 grams of shredded carrot (about half of a SMALL carrot – maybe 1/4 a cup?)
• Half a mango, diced (could also use pineapple, as Liz suggested)
• Pinch of salt

Turn heat to medium and stir occasionally until mixture comes almost to a boil and most of the liquid is absorbed, which takes about 5-7 minutes. When oats are done, stir in

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp brown sugar (optional)

Toppings:

While oats are cooking:

• Make “icing” by blending 1 oz (about 2 tbsp) of non-fat plain greek yogurt with 1 tsp maple syrup.
• Toast about 1 tbsp chopped pecans in the microwave.

Assembly:

1. Pour oats into bowl.
2. Top with 1 tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut (you could use sweetened, but I’d use a little bit less if so)
3. Sprinkle on pecans.
4. Drizzle icing on top…..

DROOL!

Each bowl was about 450 kcal, 9 grams fiber and 18 grams of protein. You could cut it down a bit by using less pecans, omiting the tsp of brown sugar and halving the mango/pineapple amount.

It was SO GOOD. And very filling too! You could taste the carrot, but in a good carrot-cake way and not in a vegetable way. Use a little less if you’re worried about veggies for breakfast

Cross-sectional bite: